Microorganisms play a vital role in the normal biological cycle by converting soluble organic compounds into new bacterial cells and inorganic elements. This natural biological process provides conversion of waste organics (animal and plant life) to carbon dioxide and water.

Pathogenic bacteria cause disease to humans and animals, while non-pathogenic bacteria can be divided into chemosynthetics, (such as sulfur bacteria which oxidize hydrogen sulfide into free sulfur and sulfate), nitrifiers (which oxidize ammonia to nitrite, nitrate and nitrogen gas, depending on the level of aeration present), and saprophytics (organisms which live on dead organic materials).

While in nature, one finds a greater population of non-pathogenic bacteria than pathogenic bacteria, this balance may be upset in waste treatment facilities and high-density aquaculture ponds. By introducing large numbers of competitive non-pathogenic bacteria, such as those found in various Alken Clear-FloŽ formulas, it is possible to crowd out many undesirable pathogenic strains while degrading various pollutants.

More technical information on the nitrogen cycle is offered at:  Nitrogen cycle

Algae uses both organic and inorganic compounds (such as phosphate) to form new algae cells. Algae and bacteria become food for protozoa, rotifers, crustaceans and some fish, such as white grass carp. Algae are photosynthetic plants in both single- and multi-cell form, that derive enough energy from sunlight to form cells.